Wensleydale 25 - 20 Hemsworth

Hemsworth slipped to their second successive league defeat despite a valiant fightback at Wensleydale.

The visitors fell behind in the first five minutes following a breakaway try which was easily converted, before the hosts increased their lead with a penalty and a second try from close range. The extras were added to increase Wensleydale’s lead to 17 points.

Hemsworth looked to reduce the deficit but were unable to capitalise on a period of pressure within Wensleydale’s 22-metre area, and after the visitors conceded penalty the hosts were able to kick clear.

The resulting plays saw Hemsworth reduced to 14 men, second-row Dan Jones sent from the field for a harshly-judged high tackle. The hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage, scoring in the corner before adding a further penalty on the stroke of half-time to got into the break with an unanswered 25-point lead.

Despite the scoreline Hemsworth never looked out of the game, piling pressure on the home defence before makeshift winger Tom Haslehurst crashed over in the corner. Captain Joe Thompson converted.

Centre Zak Mears scored Hemsworth’s second try following fine forwards play, with Joe Thompson grabbing an excellent third try by dabbing down in the bottom corner after collecting his own high kick.

Failed conversions for both tries left Hemsworth chasing an eight-point deficit with only a few minutes to play, and the hosts desperately scrambling the ball out of their 22.

Hemsworth’s last-play break down the field was rewarded with a 20-metre penalty in front of the hosts’ sticks. Thompson sensibly opted for the easy kick and the single bonus point for losing by seven points or less, rather than gambling for an additional bonus point by trying to run in a fourth try.